Russellville Historic District Commission

RUSSELLVILLE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION MINUTES Regular Meeting – Thursday, February 27, 2020 CITY HALL – 2nd Floor Meeting Room 5:00PM Commissioners Present: Betsy McGuire - Chair Suzanne Alford-Hodges – Vice-Chair Judy Galloway – Secretary Steve Newby Linda Carnahan Greg Barborek Kathy Price Polly Hardin Beverly Hooten City Council Liaison Present: Chris Olson Staff Present: Sara Jondahl, City Planner, Temporary Historic Preservation Officer Advisors Present: Danielle Housenick - MSR Director Advisors Absent: Trey Smith - City Attorney, Brian Holstein - Director or Development Call to Order, Roll Call & Welcome: Ms. McGuire called the February 27, 2020 meeting of the Russellville Historic District Commission to order at 5:00PM. The roll was called and a quorum was established. Visitors were welcomed and asked their interest in this particular meeting. Mr. Roys and Mr. & Ms. Hart were interested in the proposed Old Town Historic District and Mr. Jackson wanted to see what we do at HDC meetings. Ms. McGuire read the mission statement from the HDC Bylaws to clarify the commission's roll in the community. Approval of Minutes: Ms. McGuire asked if everyone had read the minutes of the January 23, 2020. Ms. Hardin made the motion to approve the minutes; Ms. Alford-Hodges made the second and the motion passed by a unanimous voice vote. Staff Report: Ms. Jondahl addressed the applications for commissioner and said that what she sent us was all that she had. She is not concerned about whom we select from the applications or of we select none of the applications, the commission needs to make a recommendation to the mayor so there can be appointments. She can give the recommendations to the Mayor or Ms. McGuire can give them to him. There was also a message from the Mayor that he would only support the city taking responsibility for the structure, Latimore Tourist Home, if the commission has a complete plan in place for moving, funding, future use and sustainability, etc. of the building. RUSSELLVILLE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Meeting February 27, 2020 Page 2 Ms. Jondahl and Mr. Olson had to leave early for a special called meeting of the finance committee of the City Council. Agenda: The first item on the agenda was discussion of the applications that were received. It was determined that only two of the applications were complete. Ms Hooton said that it was her experience in the workplace that incomplete applications were automatically ruled invalid and discarded. Ms. Carnahan is rolling off the commission this month and does not want to be appointed. She will write a letter of resignation to the Mayor and the commission. There will be one position open on the commission and the decision and recommendation will be made to the Mayor after the next meeting. Old Business: The first item of old business was a report by Ms. McGuire on Latimore Tourist Home. She and the Mayor met with the Rev. Tyus and the church board members at their request on February 15 to answer questions and discuss potential plans. The AHPP did not have the correct church address and the church did not receive the January 31st notification about the State Review Board and Latimore Tourist Home. The Mayor provided this letter to them a few days before their meeting. The Rev. Tyus said that the church board and the full church body should make a decision by the March meeting of the City Council. The second item of business was an update on the grant that was applied for to fund a professional survey of the Old Town Historic District. The commission received the full amount of the grant. This grant funds activities between March 15, 2020 and September 30, 2021. Catherine Barrier will provide further instructions regarding RFQ's and qualified professionals. Ms. Alford-Hodges provided an update about the Old Town Neighborhood walking tour that she and Ms. Hardin are planning for the sesquicentennial celebration. They have walked the neighborhood and Ms. Hardin provided the knowledge she had from her grandparents living there. Ms Housenick pointed out that the "About" Magazine would publish and article about the sesquicentennial in the June issue. All activities must be turned in by April to meet the publication deadline and the tour needs to be solidified by that time. The Old Town Neighborhood Association has not yet met. The fourth item of business regarding the downtown streetscape could not be discussed with Ms. Jondahl and Mr. Olson since they left early. Ms. McGuire will ask the Mayor to show us the plans. The last item of business concerned the mural to be installed at 203 N Commerce on the side of the Davis Building. Ms. Housenick told us that Tiffany Black, the artist in residence at Arkansas Tech, will be at the Depot for Art Walk on March 6th to talk about the mural and answer questions. There are three images on Facebook to vote on as the central piece of art for the mural. The choices are located on the "River Valley Community Mural" page. Part of the mural will be "paint by number" blocks to be painted at a community paint party on April 4th at Ms. Black's studio on El Paso Avenue. The mural will be attached to the wall but more or less free standing and must remain in place for five years as a part of the grant agreement. This grant was funded by the Windgate Foundation that supports art education programs, contemporary craft and visual arts and is located in Arkansas. Adjournment: RUSSELLVILLE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Meeting January 23, 2020 Page 3 Ms. Alford-Hodges made the motion to adjourn at 6:10PM and Mr.Barborek made the second. The motion was approved by a voice vote. Greg Barborek - Chair Date